Matt Diesel admitted Monday, the first day of spring practice for Space Coast football, that he feels some nervous excitement shouldering the full weight of a program as the new Vipers head coach.

Whatever lies ahead for his career running a team, Diesel is already part of a football legacy begun by his dad and shared by one of his two brothers.

Patriarch Dan Diesel nears retirement after more than three decades as a coach, athletic director and administrator. He is currently an assistant principal at Titusville, where he previously ran the football program and, later, the athletic department.

The Diesels have been fixtures in high school football in the northern part of Brevard County, including youngest brother, Scott Diesel, also a member of the Vipers staff.

Matt Diesel was defensive coordinator for Titusville, his alma mater, for the last five seasons, but on the first day of spring practice with his new team, he looked every bit the part of head coach. In the final huddle, Diesel had his team redo the most basic tasks until it perfected them, including kneeling and removing their helmets.

Diesel: Discipline is a major part of what we’ve instilled here, what we do and what we’re going to continue to do. We’re big believers, myself and my staff, that if you’re on the field, your helmet’s on and you’re going to run from one station to the next. There is zero walking on our practice field, no sitting on your backside on our practice field.

We are going to be one team, as you saw after practice, had some kids taking a knee slowly. We’re not going to do that. We’re all going to be up and down together, helmets are going to come on and off together.

I tell the kids all the time, “we, not me.” It’s a “we” thing, not a “me” thing. We’re going to continue to do things as a unit, and I think when you get in those high-pressure games, that’s what you lean on.

If you cheat in practice and conditioning, it’s easy to cheat and cut yourself short when it’s real-life action. I think making sure we do everything the right way, the simple things the correct way, I think that’ll pay dividends in the end.

Diesel: It’s kind of an exciting time for us. We’ve got some “first times,” if you will. I’m a first-time head coach, and I’m more than excited to take on that task.

Brought on an offensive coordinator (Pee Jay Jack) who is going to be in his first time coordinating an offense at the varsity high school football level. He’s got a good resume. He’s a great X and O guy, but even better than an X and O guy, he’s a great motivator. The kids respond to him. He gets the most out of his kids.

Brought on Clifton Nichols, who was a part of the first Rockledge state title team as a left tackle. He’s got a great football mind. He played four years at Louisiana-Monroe in college. He’s a wing-T guy, has got great blocking schemes, and he’s a great motivator. He’s just a guy that shows up, doesn’t ask anybody to notice him. He’s a guy who runs our off-season weight program. He’s just a workhorse, and we’re thrilled to have him.

Brought on Liam Szczerba. He actually played for me at Titusville. He’s going to assist our offensive staff with some wide receiver work. He’s a kid that, all four years after practice, came over and shook your hand and thanked you for being there, not just me but every member of the coaching staff, so he’s going to add a lot.

We’ve retained some that I thought did a great job. Coach (Shannon) Washington is going to continue to work with running backs. Coach (Derrick) Spivey, who was the defensive coordinator last year, will work with linebackers this year.

Liam Henzmann, who was a lineman here, played at FIT a little bit, will work with the linemen as well. He was already here. Also, Mark Barton, who has been the head JV coach, will help, too.

We’ve got a nice blend, and we work well together, and also I’m bringing on Big D, Dan Diesel. I’ve named him the quality control assistant head coach. He’s going to kind of interject where he sees fit, and we’re blessed to have him. Like I told the team, when we have coaches’ meetings, there’s only one guy that has sat in the hot seat for a number of years, and that experience is going to be invaluable to help the staff.

What are your top goals for your spring practices?

Diesel: First and foremost, the good thing for all the kids here, is we’re a new staff, and we have no preconceived notions of what we’re walking into. Everybody gets a clean slate. They’re going to be able to demonstrate their best ability, and we’re going to be able to see what they’ve got.

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New Space Coast football coach Matt Diesel directs his team during spring practice at the school.(Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY)

So, first thing is to evaluate what we have to work with here and game plan from there. The other thing is bringing our terminology and system to a new school. If we can get in the meat and potatoes and continue to hone and go through with a fine-tooth comb and add all the intricacies this summer, by the time we hit the field in the fall, we should be ready to roll.

What does it mean at this point in your career to have grown up a Diesel?

Diesel: I think you’re going to see a lot of the stuff that I do came from, as we call him, Big D. Big coach (Dan) Diesel was a big believer in, if you’re on the field, you better be moving at full pace. When you’re on the side is your time; your helmet can come off.

I think the other thing about being a Diesel is the expectation’s high. If I’ve learned one thing from being around my dad and his programs, it’s that we’re never going to quit. We’re going to continue to fight until there are triple-zeroes on the clock, and the only thing I can ask of my kids is to go out there and compete, every down.

The other thing that I think is part of the Diesel legacy is attitude and effort. We’re big on attitude and effort. Attitude and effort can get you through a lot of stuff. If you’re sitting in an algebra class…if you’re out here on the practice field, your attitude and effort are going to determine how you do stuff, and only you can determine your attitude and effort.

What will be your measuring stick the first year?

Diesel: Well, what is success? The big test for me is — and I know it sounds cliché — we’re going to take it one game at a time. If we can put our best effort and best product out there, win lose or draw — and we want to win them all — but if we put our best foot forward, I think that’s going to be a step in the right direction, and I think we’re going to collect some wins. You never want to put a prediction out there, but I think we’re going to be very competitive.

Contact McCallum at 321-242-3698 or bmccallum@floridatoday.com. Follow @Brian_McCallum on Twitter.